Remember we mentioned on Monday that we were taking it easy and enjoying some family time? Well we were actually at the beach! We snuck away to John’s parents’ beach house in Rehoboth, Delaware for a nice long weekend of R&R (while the guest bedroom took care of itself- just kidding it was just as messy when we returned, darn). We had lots of fun going on long walks, eating seafood, getting our thrift on, and bringing Clara down to the beach on a particularly warm day (it was 65+ degrees on Monday!). So we thought we’d share some of our adventures with you guys. First, we hit up our favorite secondhand shop in Bethany, Beach Plum Antiques (also seen in this post of yore).
A few things that caught my eye were these $10 woven lamps (I think I would have spray painted them bright canary yellow or emerald green to take them from beachy and rustic to bright and ca-razy).
I also loved this huge woven ottoman.
Oh and this cute $20 bench reminded us of our $7 thrift store bench makeover a while back.
This side table was just $5. I would have grabbed it and tossed a fiver at the owner had there been another one to match for our bedroom (or even one that looked mildly similar). But alas. There was just one.
Here’s what I did grab after tossing a fiver at the owner. Yup, this geometric eight sided mirror was just five beans. Mine. I was so enamored I didn’t even remember to haggle him down to $4. Hah. Can’t wait to paint it something glossy and fun (lime? plum? I guess time will tell).
We also did a bit of non-thrift shopping along the boardwalk in Rehoboth.
At first glance this extra large calendar full of vintage map prints still seemed pricey at $20, but after flipping through it and adoring every page, we realized it was just $1.60 per print. And we can’t wait to frame them all and display them en masse. Seriously, there was a happy dance associated with this find. And it went on for hours.
We I also skipped to the cash register with one of these adorable $18 paper lantern pendants for the playroom. We knew I probably could have picked up a white paper lantern for around $5 and attempted to DIY my own painted hearts, but we reasoned that eighteen bones wasn’t too bad for such a smile inducing lantern that would probably surpass anything crafty that I could attempt. Especially since Ikea sells light kits for $5, so we’ll end up with an entirely new playroom light fixture for just $24 total.
Then it was back to the thrift stores & antique shops that abound. We stopped at this cute place called Millsboro Basaar Antiques…
… where I found these two crazy ceramic horse book ends for $2.50 a pop. No doubt the price break was thanks to their zany orange and black glaze, but I’m thinking I might just spray paint these babies for a whole new look. Maybe white. Maybe something bolder like navy or yellow.
This frog butler was just insane so I had to snap a pic. It reminded us of that funny Modern Family episode where Jay gets the life-sized dog butler and Gloria hates it.
This $15 guy was kinda fun, but I passed. Let’s just say John wasn’t as enamored as I was.
Oh and this $22 stuffed bear head was wall-mountable. So funny! We briefly considered it for the playroom but decided it was better left behind for someone with a woodland themed nursery (like Clara’s boyfriend Will– although word on the street is that his nursery might have a new inspiration when he moves).
Oh and this little $12 luggage rack was kinda perfect for the guest room makeover. So I snatched it up (and haggled them down to ten bones). We’re definitely planning to replace the ribbon that stretches across it, and the jury’s still out about the color, but it’s fun for now.
We slipped through Goodwill, just for kicks, but didn’t leave with anything. We did see some cute things stuff though, like this $2 bowl, which would be sweet for storing jewelry (I picture stacks of bracelets) on a dresser.
The funny thing about this $1 find is that it’s the exact same glass container that we bought a while back and used to create our T-giving “Thanks” jar.
Here’s another $2 bowl that could look charming holding anything from keys to jewelry or even all those extra buttons you get with shirts and coats. You save them out of fear like I do, don’t you? What if you need them someday? I never seem to, but you never know…
And here we are having some good old fashioned beach fun. First there’s beanarina and daddy looking pretty darn happy.
Next we have Clara showing off her two adorable front teeth. What an accomplishment! So proud.
Oh and here she is playing in the sand. Trepidatiously. But still sort of playing none the less.
Good times! I’ll be back later with a breakdown of everything we actually bought home with us (we gave ourselves an $100 thrifting & shopping budget and we came home with 12 items – well, 23 if you count our calendar as 12 prints, since we’ll be framing ’em individually). Wahoo. More on that in a few hours…
Laurie at House to your Home says
Thrifting and beaching, officially jealous this is my idea of the perfect vacation!! Of course as I’m seeing all your cool finds I’m talking out loud to myself, “what they didn’t get that!” Sorta like yelling at the people on House Hunters for picking out the wrong house!! (: Hope you had a great getaway!!
Brittany Burslem says
Ahh!! I live in Rehoboth and go to those places all the time! So cool to see someone else get some good finds at some of my favorite places.
Snickrsnack Katie says
Those are some AWESOME finds! Oh, how I miss the northeast and all the awesome antiques shops! Haven’t been to Rehoboth in years – such a wonderful place!!
Barb says
Would love to be a “FLY ON THE WALL” to see you and John in your “thrifting” mode. Bet you are a riot to shop with.
Love to go to antique and thrift shops. There are great ones in New Hampshire and especially Maine. Are you ever in the area? Call me…..I think we could do some serious shopping damage!!!
Love the maps especially.
B.
YoungHouseLove says
That sounds like our idea of a good time! We don’t have specific plans to be up there, but you never know…
xo,
s
Alisha says
I. WANT. THAT. OTTOMAN.
Great Finds!!
Allison says
Ooo, what a fun weekend! And some great finds. Makes me ready for spring…and vacation!
Sara @ House Bella says
Love that calendar that you are going to cut up, and the luggage rack too. Awesome finds!
So jealous that you were able to take a little trip to the beach (I say that from a very land locked state!). We’re looking to take a tropical vacation a few months by can’t decide where. Bugger.
kim says
I love those woven lamps, would have looked great painted. Looks like a lovely day I am so envious sitting here in the snow still. But spring skiing started this week with the warm weather so maybe that will make me feel better. I can’t wait for summer.
D says
I must check out this thrift shop over the summer! I forgot last time I went to the beach…or ‘down the ocean’, as we call it.
ginai says
Hey Ya’ll, ***speaking in my real southern accent***
I like going thrifting, but I can only assume thrift shops here in Atlanta just do not price things like elsewhere? I have never seen anything in goodwill or other thrift stores for 2 dollars lol
yes the thrift shop around here can save some, but nothing like you were able to save! good on ya!
Clara is such a lovely, happy baby! your family is wonderful! love you guys!!!<3
Cindi carlson says
i bought that exact same green bowl at St. vincent DePaul for .25, i love it!
Marci says
What a fun post! What great deals you scored on your trip but to get such beautiful pictures of Clara like that is just priceless : )
Which reminds me of a great diy project I saw at a friends house. You can print out pics on regular paper and glue them around the outside of the frame and mod podge over that to create personalized frames. Haven’t tried it myself yet though but it looked great!
heather s. says
I used to do that with type from magazines when I was in high school! I made a frame for my boyfriend that had all sorts of lovey messages as well as our initials.
stephanie says
ok kids. help! i am totally into thrifting now and have found some really great things! but, i keep finding stuff that i like and thinking, as you do, “oh, i could spray paint that such and such color!”
but!! i am not a good spray painter. i have read through your post about spray painting…and many others on the web. but, somehow i just keep getting it wrong. the main thing i would love some help with is painting things that are already shiney….like those orange horse heads you picked up. how do you paint shiney pottery or porcelein?
also, i picked up a great frame yesterday with lots of intricate detailing. i had a hard time last night getting the white spray paint into all of the nooks and crannies. it started out bright pink and i was going to white. ..so that made it hard.
any and all help/tips/encouragement/kick in the pants would be greatly appreciated and well received! ;)
stephanie
YoungHouseLove says
Using spray primer first on super shiny things (like the horse head book ends) will help with paint adhesion and durability. Kilz makes one that works really well. And as for spray painting tips, thin coats from at least 8 inches away seem to work best. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Misty says
I am still confused as to why you guys didn’t get those amazing woven lamps?? Even painted yellow for the living room would have been amazing! So…why not???
YoungHouseLove says
They had old wiring so to be on the safe side we’d want to rewire them (and it looked a bit complicated due to their configuration).
xo,
s
Misty says
Oh! I can totally understand that. I just immediately saw them in my head (all glossy and bright yellow) behind Karl on the hand-built console table!!!
Oh, and is it just me or does Clara look really big in those pics??
(Sidenote: isn’t it funny that you can totally say “how big” a baby looks in a picture but you dare not say that to a woman???)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, so true! She’s such a big girl these days!
xo,
s
Lindsay says
Love that bench! I spied it in your first photo and then you highlighted it later. Too cute!
Ashley says
Oh I want on of the map calendars since my DH really wants a map and book man room lol. So I googled and found where I can and other readers can buy the same one you guys have. Can’t wait to see what you do so I replicate haha!
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1574897799/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_2?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B00451VMW0&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=18PP0C7C3Z5C7J3TGEYF
Oh I think we are stealing your idea of switching our formal living and dining room and making the old dining room DH’s map and book room.
Eva says
My H and I were in Rehoboth the same day as you guys celebrating V-day in the gorgeous weather as well! You have to visit Henlopen state park and do the “hike” (wide flat and smooth gravel path) to Gordons Pond when you go visit next. It is so pretty and peaceful!
A food rec, Touch of Italy in Rehoboth has some of the best subs/hoagies you’ve ever had. The sandwiches are spot on delicious! Perfect for a quick grab and beach picnic. :)
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for the suggestions! Sounds fun!
xo,
s
Clare says
Cutest family ever! What great finds too! I love Rehoboth – we go every summer!
Ashleigh says
I have that map calendar! And I’ve saved it to frame the prints too! (Just haven’t quite gotten around to it yet.)
Stephanie B says
What great finds! Can’t wait to hear more about the maps…I’ve been trying to think of a good way to incorporate maps into our formal living room (and not spend $$$$$) and as usual I think you guys will have a fantastic solution!
susan says
Thanks for a trip to the beach. It was fun looking at all your finds and Clara’s teeth. susan
sarah (sarah learns) says
aww, clara looks so happy in those pictures! :)
and i’m so impressed with all of your deals. can’t wait to see what you do with them all. :)
Christine says
Hey, that paper lantern matches The Napkin!
Laurie says
We just bought a $5 retro arm chair at a thrift store in our hometown of Charleston, South Carolina that is that EXACT same print/fabric/etc as the bench in the 4th picture down! How funny!
Triwania says
Its too funny. I saw the Millsboro Bazaar Thift shop and I thought, OMG, they were so close to me. I actually thought I saw you guys shopping in the Nike Factory outlet (before the bud came along). We have so many celebrites shop there that we just try not to draw attention to them so that they may continue to enjoy their shopping experience. As soon as you left (or whomever the folks were that I thought were you), I said that’s them, the couple who inspired the hubby and I to do it ourselves.
YoungHouseLove says
That totally could have been us! John was looking for running shorts a while back there (before I was prego). That’s too funny! You should have said hi!
xo,
s
Sadie says
Love all your finds, especially the little luggage rack. Have you ever posted pics of John’s parents’ beach house? I would looooove to see them! How fun to have a place like that to go to :)
YoungHouseLove says
Here’s a little post about it: https://www.younghouselove.com/2008/01/on-the-road-again-just-beachy/
We’re so thankful to have a fun place like that to escape to!
xo,
s
Jen @ The Decor Scene says
Of course I save all those button’s I never use. LOL! But I do add them to my Grandmother’s collection, so it’s special to me to be able to add to hers. {sniffle} They are in this old tin that she had, but I think I need to put them in a better place. Oh I know I have an old green glass bowl from my Grandmother….they might just look really pretty in there. I will have to find that bowl. ;)
Thanks for sharing your pictures. Since you guys used to live in NY, do you know of any good antique places to shop? I’m on Long Island, but I wouldn’t mind traveling a little bit for a day out. Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
We used to love going to the Hells Kitchen flea market and browsing in places like Chinatown and St Marks Place. Anyone else have NY spots for Jen to check out?
xo,
s
Mia says
Love the maps!
I am happy to know I’m not the only one that has in extensive-in-case-of-emergency button collection :)
Jessie says
Love the woven lamps, like someone who posted earlier, should have been great painted white or any other crazy colors. Also loving the fun hearts paper lantern and the green bamboo style luggage racks. The luggage rack is such a steal, it looks much more expensive like some Jonathan Adler inspired furniture. Oh, and please don’t repaint the luggage rack. It looks so chic in green! Great finds overall!
On another note, I am a new reader of your blog and have been following it ever since. I love your design style, your thriftiness and all your DIY projects. It’s such a fun read.
And oh, I just started my own blog and I just linked you. Hope you don’t mind. Link me back, ya? Thanks!
http://www.mixandchic.com
Tanya from dans-le-townhouse.blogspot.com says
So great you got some down time! It is well deserved. Great finds – I especially love the paper lantern. Yup, sometimes the best DIYer has to BIM (bought it myself). There are only so many hours in a day to go DIY crazy and you have lots of work ahead of you :) Thanks for sharing these sweet family pics!
Nikki T says
I just must tell you how much I LOVE your blog! And Clara’s 2 front teeth!
I used to be a lover of all things new and already shiny, but since becoming a reader of this wonderful blog I have learned that all things thrifty can become new and shiny with a little DIY and TLC :)
Thanks for the inspiration!
Sheryl J says
Love the calendar prints. Awesome! I think they would look amazing in the diningroom/library. Can’t wait to see them framed.
Larissa says
i loved this post because my boyfriend and i go to rehoboth quite often- his family has a house there so fun to follow you guys along!
Kelly says
My husband’s family has a house in Rehoboth as well, and Bella Luna is my favorite store ever! If you were to create a store from the inside of my head that would be it. Vintage, fun, classy, and super cute aprons! I am glad y’all had a nice fun family vacation at the beach. I am super jealous.
Bob says
Thank you for not calling the calendar map prints art! I appreciate it! ;)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, that was for you Bob!
xo,
s
Candace says
LOVE Rehoboth and Bethany Beach! We always go “eating” instead of thrifting. I recommend “Go Fish” on the boardwalk. Their Sticky Toffee Pudding is to die for! Another favorite is El Dorado — delish fish tacos! We HAVE been to that thrift shop you showed, but with 3 kids in tow, it’s a bit harder to explore!
Stacey says
Candace…i LOVE Go Fish!!! I’m always too full from the fish & chips to consider dessert, but I’m definitely going to try the sticky toffee pudding this year! I like the Stoney Lonen on 2nd St. too.
Lindsey says
Wow!! You really did snag some cute stuff! I wish my husband loved thrifting as much as yours does ;0)
Lindsay says
I have the same glass jar! However, mine holds candy :)
I love the beach! Anytime of year, my husband and I went on Saturday and played ski ball! The best thing to do at the Shore in Feb.
Dawn says
This is my favorite kind of post! I love it when you guys point out the potential in these fabulous treasures! Can’t wait to see how they appear in your house. Thanks for the inspiration! Time to go thrifting =)
Jessica says
I’m glad I’m not the only one who wears flats (with no socks, hose, etc) in the winter! LOL
Reenie says
Oooohhhh ~ those shops look so cute. I love love love Clara pics ~ her lil teefies are so cute :)
Sandy says
Tell me you didn’t leave those two bowls behind Sherry. Their color is so cool. I love the green one especially.
YoungHouseLove says
Yup, they’re probably still there waiting for you!
xo,
s
Amy E. says
i’m totally envious of the vintage map calendar!
and i think it’s hilarious that you pointed out that green glass bowl. my parents have one in their living room that’s been there for as long as i can remember. it gets filled with chocolates on a fairly regular basis.
Megan @ reFind says
Oh man – I am jealous! You found such great things. I need those lamps, and that luggage stand. I am partial to green bamboo – after a wonderful old bamboo dresser that I fixed up and painted green:
http://refinddesign.blogspot.com/2010/10/bamboo-dresser-for-sale.html
Can’t wait to see what you do with everything!
J'Ann says
Loving the finds…not so much the frog. Clara looks like my niece when we first took her to the beach lol. Except she ran onto the beach towel and started crying :-(
http://jannsboutique.blogspot.com/
misa says
i DO keep those buttons out of fear, and i’ve never needed one!
Mikki says
I can’t believe that you guys were in Rehoboth! I only live 35 minutes from there. As a “gi-normous” fan/blog stalker/Clara lover/Burger babe, I would have freaked had I been at any of those shops and seen you…I guess it was good that I wasn’t because I would have freaked you all out! LOL! :)
I love those shops too and try to get down there to them whenever I can…I especially love this time of the year as it’s not as crowded!
Enjoying reading and looking at the new home! Take care!
Mikki
YoungHouseLove says
Aw that’s sweet Mikki! We would have loved to meet you!
xo,
s
Jordan@the2seasons says
Looks like you all had a great time! Plus some fun finds. I love the light for the playroom.
stephanie says
thanks guys for the spray paint tips. i think i am just so used to the old paint brush…and getting that one-two coat immediate satisfaction, that i am not allowing myself to be patient with a biiiilion thin coats of spray paint. must.be.more.patient.when.spray.painting. (!)
thanks!
georgia says
The beach and shopping!! – bliss!
Clara is literally an image of both of you now, I thought she looked like john, but then in the pic with you she’s the image of you as well! Adorable :)